Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6
युद्धप्रसङ्गः—देवगणयुद्धे शिवविष्णुसंयोगः / Battle Episode—Śiva–Viṣṇu Convergence in the Devas’ Conflict
सर्वेऽमरगणास्तत्र विकुंठितबला मुने । अभूवन् विष्णुना तेन हता यष्ट्या पराङ्मुखाः
sarve'maragaṇāstatra vikuṃṭhitabalā mune | abhūvan viṣṇunā tena hatā yaṣṭyā parāṅmukhāḥ
噢仙者，在那里一切天众之力尽皆崩散；被毗湿奴以那杖击中后，他们转身退却而逃。
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights the fragility of merely worldly or celestial power: even devas can be humbled when divine will turns. From a Śaiva Siddhānta lens, true strength is alignment with Pati (Śiva) and dharma, not the independent might of the paśu (individual soul) or the deva-host.
By showing devas becoming powerless and retreating, the text reinforces that all functional deities operate within the higher sovereignty of the Supreme. Linga worship trains the devotee to seek refuge in the transcendent Lord (Śiva as Pati) rather than relying on status, power, or even celestial privilege.
The practical takeaway is humility and surrender: daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and a calm mind, dedicating one’s strength and victories to Śiva, so pride does not become the cause of spiritual “retreat.”